PM News: The Latest On Steel

The Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) has asked the president to review the Section 332 report on the effects of the steel tariffs on steel consumers. The study showed that the tariffs resulted in increased prices and cost U.S. businesses more than $680 million.

Columns Post: 11/20/2007

The Latest On Steel
The Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) has asked the president to review the Section 332 report on the effects of the steel tariffs on steel consumers. The study showed that the tariffs resulted in increased prices and cost U.S. businesses more than $680 million. Nearly half of the 485 questionnaire respondents reported declines in the availability and quality of steel in the year following the imposition of the tariffs. One quarter of steel-consuming companies reported that their customers shifted to purchasing finished parts of assemblies overseas because of the tariffs.

Joint Sales. A joint venture has been formed between Mori Seiki U.S.A., Inc. (Dallas, Texas) and Yamazen Corporation (Schaumburg, Illinois). It will be known as Mori Seiki Mid-American Sales. The venture will replace the existing Yamazen sales network and will be solely responsible for the sales and service of the line of Mori Seiki products in the areas formerly serviced by Yamazen, Inc., including much of the Midwest. All 65 Yamazen employees formerly responsible for Mori Seiki products sales have been offered employment. Visit www.moriseiki.com or call (972) 929-8321 for more information.

All In One Place. Did you ever wish there were one Web link you could give to someone who might be interested in a career in manufacturing? Maybe you’ve tried to work with local high school guidance counselors or shop instructors and want to point them in the right direction. Charmilles (Lincolnshire, Illinois) is trying to host that “one place” where those in positions of guidance can get more information. The company has a new part of its Web site called “Careers in Manufacturing.” It contains information about obtaining free and low-cost promotional materials that communicate the advantages available in manufacturing careers. At least five organizations have already submitted material, and others are urged to forward recruiting materials as well. The site is at www.charmillesus.com under the title “Careers in Manufacturing.” Contact Harry Moser at (800) 282-1336 for more information or to submit materials.

New Chief. John B. Byrd II has been named president of AMT-The Association For Manufacturing Technology effective October 1, 2003. He will replace Albert W. Moore, who has served as interim president. Mr. Byrd was most recently president of Symmetry Medical Inc. (Warsaw, Indiana), a manufacturer of surgical instruments. Mr. Moore will re-retire.

Change Of Address, Leadership. Sugino Corp. (a subsidiary of Sugino Machine Ltd.) has moved its headquarters from Schaumburg, Illinois, to Itasca, Illinois, in the Chicago area. The location is at 1380 Hamilton Parkway, Itasca IL 60143. The phone number is (630) 250-8585. At the same time, Makoto (Mack) Sakata was promoted to the position of president of Sugino Corp., succeeding Hiroyuki Hayashi, who was appointed president of Sugino Machine Ltd.’s expansion in Thailand.

Name Modification. Toshiba Machine Company Canada Ltd. (Markham, Ontario) has changed its name to Toshiba Machine Machinery Co., Ltd as a result of being united with that Japanese company. The company’s product line, Canadian office location and staff will remain unchanged. The location will be the new “machine tool” subsidiary of the larger company.